Pages

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Start November on a jazzy note as Sonny & Perley return to the University Club on Friday, November 4th from 8-10 p.m., presenting their unique blend of jazz with International Cabaret and Great American Songbook standards.

You won't want to miss a minute of their performance in the warm and inviting atmosphere of the Grille Room. The performance is free and dinner will be served at the University Club until 9:00 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations.

All About Jazz notes that "Sonny and Perley brightly blend lyricism, passion and rhythm in a way that is both rich and exotic ... The nexus of art and emotion are joined in an exceptional way," and Chronogram Magazine calls them "Harbingers of aesthetic jazz ... and romanticism."On the first Friday of each month, the University Club celebrates the arts and culture in Albany by serving as a 1st Friday venue. One need not be a member to enjoy live music, dinner and dancing in the Grille Room, dress is casual, and cash and major credit cards are accepted.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Haunted History Walking Tours Will Benefit Historic Albany and University Club Foundations

Murders. Kidnapping. Untimely deaths. Many dark and unsettling dramas have played out behind the elegant façades of Albany’s Center Square and Hudson/Park neighborhoods. In October, a guided walking tour will explore both the sinister deeds and the handsome architecture of a bygone era.

The tours will be offered on each weeknight during the final week of October, beginning on Monday, October 24 and begin and end at the University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The tour will step off at 6:00 p.m. each night, and the cost is $15 per person.

The tour will cover an area bounded by Washington Avenue, Willett Street, Madison Avenue and Swan Streets, and the round trip is approximately 1.5 miles. Hudson/Park resident and University Club member Tim Varney, who developed and researched the tour, warns that the narrative will include “graphic material not suitable for children or the faint of heart.”

Proceeds from the tour will be divided between Historic Albany Foundation and the University Club Foundation. Participation will be limited to no more than 20 people per tour and reservations are required. Please call Historic Albany at 518-465-0876 x. 10 to add your name to the list.

Payment may be made by cash or check payable to the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation. Your donation may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The University Club Foundation was formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901. For information on upcoming events, visit www.uclubevents.blogspot.com .

Founded in 1974, Historic Albany Foundation is a private, not-for-profit membership organization working to promote the preservation and appreciation of the built environment in and around the city of Albany. For more information, visit www.historic-albany.org .

Taste the Bounty of the Season and Support Flood Recovery Efforts at Denison Farm in Schaghticoke

The University Club Foundation was established to foster stewardship of the National Register-listed University Club building on Washington Avenue in Albany. But the Foundation is also eager to step in when help is needed by members of the community.

On Friday, October 28, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., the public is invited to support the Foundation and the Denison Farm in Schaghticoke at a benefit Harvest Home Dinner.

Brian and Justine Denison, along with their children Suzanna and Maggie, have been farming in New York State for seven years. They moved here from Maine, where Brian earned his Forestry degree and Justine taught elementary school. Their farm, 164 acres of rich bottomland nestled along the Tomhannock Creek in northern Rensselaer County, was devastated by flooding, just as the vegetable and berry harvests were in full swing. They estimate their losses to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Tickets for the Harvest Home Dinner are $50 per person, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Denison Farm. The three-course dinner will feature a bounty of freshly-harvested local foods – many sourced from Denison Farm – prepared by the University Club’s award winning Chef, Kevin Pagano. The dinner will be served buffet style, and vegetarian options will be available. The ticket price includes tax and gratuity, but not alcohol.

Several members of the University Club participate in the Denison Farm CSA and set up this benefit to help with recovery efforts. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) connects people to a local farm and farmer. “When you become a CSA member, you agree to support the costs of running the farm in exchange for a share of the harvest,” said Colleen Ryan, one of the organizers. “By paying our membership fee in the dark days of winter, we become partners with the farmer and share some of the risk – but we reap the benefits in pounds of produce over the spring and summer. As members, we thought we should play a larger role in getting the farm back on track for the next growing season.”

Reservations for the Harvest Home Dinner are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151. Payment may be made by cash or check payable to the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation. A portion of your donation may be tax deductible.

The University Club Foundation was formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

The simple life of home organizer Ted McCormick is about to explode. He must deal with the ire of James Smith, a demanding client who is convinced his eccentric father died leaving something of great value hidden in his cluttered and mysterious Victorian mansion. What — or who — is in the house to prevent Ted from finding it?

Author James O’Connor will discuss his book, Another Man’s Treasure, set in Albany, at a luncheon on Wednesday, October 26 at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The buffet lunch will begin at 12:00 noon, with the presentation commencing at 12:30 p.m., followed by a question and answer period. The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event, and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend.

The cost for the luncheon and lecture is $25. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

"When I was in college, I told my father I wanted to become an author,” said O’Connor. “He told me, ‘writing is a great back-up skill to have for a real job.’ He was right.” Before starting his own public relations firm specializing in book and author publicity, Jim worked in corporate communications for a number of Fortune 500 corporations. He is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago. He and his wife live in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Another Man’s Treasure is his second book. His first book, CUSS CONTROL: The Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cursing, was a media sensation.
The University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, was formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

Based in Upstate New York, guitarist (and Hamilton Street neighbor) Todd Nelson earned his reputation by distilling and refining his big musical influences — from Chet Atkins and Julian Bream to guitar icons Metheny, McLaughlin and Martino. His trio performs "Jazz Americana," and features Kyle Esposito on fretless bass and Manuel Quintana on drums and percussion.

On the first Friday of each month, as part of the University Club’s celebration of 1st Friday, one need not be a member to enjoy live music, dinner and dancing in the Grille Room, dress is casual, and cash and major credit cards are accepted.

The performance is free and dinner will be served until 9:00 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations. As Todd says, “the Club is a nice place to hang."

While you're there ... check out the Athletic Annex Show - a "pop-up gallery" curated by Chip Fasciana and featuring the work of more than 20 local and regional artsts - behind the University Club in the former fitness center! Exhibit closes at 9 p.m.

Sign Up!

Support the U Club Foundation!

The University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, was formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the National Register-listed University Club building, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.